BBB suggests homeowners do research before renting out home for Harley 110th

Looking to cash in on the Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary? It may be tempting with more than a 100,000 riders rolling into town in late August, but if you're thinking of renting your home to make a buck, WISN 12 News' Patrick Paolantonio investigates a few things you'll want to do before handing over the keys.

Those are selling points for Kuharske and Damien Rose's house in the Walker's Point neighborhood.

They're offering options at their Milwaukee home for Harley-Davidson's anniversary: Either rent the entire place or rent by the room, bed and breakfast style.

"If we can help somebody enjoy the hospitality of Milwaukee, and we can actually fund, maybe a vacation for ourselves, that'd be great," Kuharske said.

The payday is tempting. WISN 12 News did an online search and found properties up for grabs all over Southeast Wisconsin for the anniversary, with prices all over the map.

A sample of what Paolantonio found on Craigslist include:

A two-bedroom home in Wauwatosa for $1,000 for the week

A four-bedroom home in Hartford for $4,000

A three-bedroom house in Milwaukee for $5,000

"It may not be the easy cash that everybody thinks is coming in," said Ran Hoth, with the Better Business Bureau.

The Better Business Bureau recommends doing research before renting your home, check the ordinances in your municipality, check your personal insurance and check with your attorney.

Hoth said homeowners should try to make direct contact offline with the renter, talk to them on the phone, ask for references and watch the information you share online, because scam artists could be watching.

"Be a little careful with being too detailed about, you know, your address and your name and your property before you get a chance to talk directly to a potential renter," Hoth said.

As the anniversary approaches, some homeowners are turning to the pros.

The leasing agency, My Dwelling, started HarleyHousing.com. For $300, it will advertise the property, handle applications, screen the prospective tenant and provide lease paperwork.

"Lease may seem like a silly thing to do for a three-day time period, but you're not a hotel. Put the lease on paper (and) cover yourself that way, as well," said Chris Muellenbach of My Dwelling LLC.